So here’s where we stand on Gov. Kate Brown’s proposal to raise Portland’s minimum wage to $15.52 in six years (the rest of the state would rise to $13.50): Senate and house leaders are good with it—signaling the proposal might have legs in the upcoming legislative session—and Republicans and organizations like the Portland Business Alliance are vowing opposition. Some of those naysayers were privy to secret meetings on the wage that Brown held in recent weeks, and say the governor passed on a weaker proposal they supported.
My god. It’s been almost two weeks since this tiresome occupation began in Harney County, and while the armed militants are hinting that they have some sort of exit plan, nothing’s emerged.
Meanwhile, bird lovers, hunters, and other outdoorsy types are finally making their fierce opposition to the occupation felt.
And for some reason like every school official in the nearby city of Burns is resigning?
The Republican primary race, as viewed through the prism of last night’s sad debate, is rapidly coming down to Ted Cruz and Donald Trump. And those guys? They don’t much care for each other.
Umpqua Community College, site of the bloodiest mass shooting in Oregon’s history last October, plans to modify the building where the tragedy unfolded. It might set you back $6 million or so.
The federal government has decided it really likes driverless cars. Like, the clear away bureaucratic red tape and dump $4 billion into them kind of like.
Getting hosed down naked on the side of a frigid highway for a few minutes is good for around $50,000 these days. Not the worst gig.
After hours of testimony about the future of the Portland-owned River View Natural Area yesterday, city council adopted a plan that would keep mountain bikes out for the immediate future—but potentially reverse that decision after further research. Decent amount of drama.
Fun game: One of the teasers atop the Washington Post‘s website this morning is “Ancient prosthesis.” I haven’t read it, but am linking here. Who knows what you’ll find?
Call in sick. It’s not supposed to be 100 percent rainy today.
Last night I told Merc Senior Editor Ned Lannamann I quite enjoy the David Bowie song “Cat People” and he was already saying “fuck you” before I got the entire title of the song out of my mouth. Then I told him I like the Bowie song “Underground” and he seemed to be resisting the urge to hit me for a sec. Who knows what sort of jeopardy I’m putting myself in by posting this gem for Karaoke Friday?
Context, Dirk. That all happened after you insisted “Heroes” sucks.